Saftu national strike against labour bill to go on

Trade union federation the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) is calling on unions from other labour federations to join its planned nationwide strike set to take place on Wednesday.

The planned strike against the proposed labour amendment bill is set to take place in major cities across the country.

Saftu said this was an undemocratic labour law. Under the new law voters will have to vote before going on strike. Saftu Secretary GeneralZwelinzima Vavi heavily criticised the move, saying the laws are against the Bill of Rights.

“It’s a calculated strategy it is not even a camouflage. It is a strategy to ensure workers do not exercise their right to strike again.”

Vavi implored other labour federations to put the rights and interests of the workers first.

“forget about the divisions of the past. This is a fight about the life and death of trade unionism in the country”

Saftu revealed that it has written to political parties to joint it in fighting the proposed bill.

Last month, Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant said that it would not be possible to introduce the R20 an hour threshold on May 1 as previously planned. The minister further added that Parliament was still considering public submissions on three bills that will give effect to the minimum wage.

Saftu says the planned march is not only for members affiliated to its unions, but for all workers.

A statement written by the Department of Labour it said that, Parliament is currently was in a process of considering both written and oral submissions from interested parties about the bill, the Labour Relations Amendment bill and the Basic Conditions of Employment bill, before concluding the considerations of the bills.